Creativity: Myths and reality

Formation processes of creativity as a universal competence are investigated from a comparative position and a theoreticalmethodological basis is developed for the debunking of myths about creativity. Theoretical analysis. Creativity is interpreted by the authors as a special ability of subjects (individuals, groups, organizations) to create something new, original, non-trivial. Theoretical approaches to the formation of creativity as the specialists’ personality trait and to the process of using this universal competence in the modern information society are generalized. Empirical analysis. The basic myths concerning the understanding and implementation of creativity in various spheres have been revealed and in fact preserved by science, substantiated arguments have been presented for their debunking, and modern new realities have been presented in the theory of creativity and its practical implementation. The author’s classification includes myths related to the sphere of creativity, the existence of a direct connection between intelligence and creativity, the spread of creativity in spheres and types of activity, the correlation of creativity levels and intelligence in society, the connection of creativity to innate and genetically inherited personality characteristics, the optimal time for acquiring creativity, characteristics of a person possessing creative skills, profitable types of activity, requiring the manifestation and realization of creative features. Results. The authors have proved that the need for creativity in general, from politics to private life, has grown rapidly and continues to grow, however; creativity as a human personality trait does not develop permanently, it is heterogeneous and segmented according to different types, forms and levels and the path of its development is complex, zigzag, and this fact creates a new field for interdisciplinary research.